Sunday, 5 February 2012

Valentine's Day : Fizz Whizzzzy Chocolate Cupcakes

If this cupcake were a cereal (bear with) it would be Rice Krispies. Snapping, crackling and popping.

As this cupcake ain't no ordinary cupcake. The icing is packed full of Fizz Whizz Popping Candy.

Extra Loud.

Designed to (**WARNING: cheesiness alert**) replicate that head-over-heels, adrenaline pumping, heart-racing moment when you fall in love.

You know, that time when you research everything there is to know about competitive duck herding to impress your intended.

Or that time you spend the best part of half a day 'getting ready' but still end up wearing your favourite jeans.

Or, when you've said bye at the end of the night, within two minutes you've whipped out your phone and start texting: 'Oh wherefore art thou? I miss thou! When, when, WHEN can we star-crossed lovers be reunited?'.

1. Preheat the oven to 350F/180C/Gas Mark 4. Line a muffin tin with six paper cupcake liners

2. Sift the flour, cocoa powder, bicarb and salt into a mixing bowl and set aside

3. Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl until thoroughly combined. Add the egg and mix again until blended

4. Add the dissolved coffee granules and the vanilla extract and mix once more. On a low speed, add half of the flour mixture, and beat until combined, then mix in the buttermilk. Add the remaining flour and mix until just combined. The batter shoulkd appear smooth and glossy

5. Divide the batter between the cupcake liners, filling each case approximately three quarters full. Bake for 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre of one of the cupcakes comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool

6. To make the icing: beat the butter, icing sugar and cocoa powder together until smoothly blended. Stir in the melted chocolate and mix in the cream. Beat the entire mixture for a further minute or two until the icing is smooth, glossy and creamy. Stir in the popping candy

7. Pipe or spoon the icing onto each cupcake. Decorate with sugared hearts

Baker's notes...

If you really love the person receiving these cupcakes, pop an indoor sparkler into each cupcake for extra fizz

Fizz Wiz not available in your local newsagent? Why not stir in a handful of chocolate chips into the icing instead

These cupcakes freeze well, minus the icing for up to one month.

They probably last up to three days, but if your intended still has one hanging around after a few days you've got to ask yourself where the relationship is going.

I just love the idea of baking with something called Fizz Wiz. Lovely idea. Once upon a time I'd research any obscure thing to impress women but I have to confess that I had more success by learning to bake cakes.

Hi I've just found your blog and wanted to say how much I'm enjoying it! These look delicious so I'll have to give them a try. I tried using some popping candy on top of butter cream on bonfire night, but I could hear them all fizzing away before they got to the party - I wonder if this is because it was left open to the elements on top, and wouldn't have happened if I'd stirred it in?

I'm so happy I found your blog. I can't wait to make this for my kiddies they're going to love it! I can already see their happy faces eating this with an extra surprise of Fizz Wiz! I remember Fizz Wiz, where I am now it's called Pop Rocks. I'm a follower now, I hope you'll follow me as well www.cakesandteacups.com.